The best walks and hikes in Washington Islands Wilderness

The Second Beach Trail offers a quick, rewarding hike through an old-growth coastal forest to a spectacular Pacific Northwest beach. You'll navigate a well-maintained path, descend via a staircase, and then clamber over driftwood before reaching the expansive sandy shore. Here, dramatic sea stacks like the Quillayute Needles rise from the ocean, and natural arches frame the horizon, creating a truly memorable landscape. It's an easy route, perfect for families looking for stunning natural features.

Planning your visit to Second Beach is straightforward, though it's wise to arrive early for parking, especially on busy days. The trail is considered easy, but be prepared for a staircase descent and a scramble over driftwood logs to access the beach. If you're considering an overnight stay, remember that wilderness camping permits and bear canisters are mandatory. Also, keep in mind that pets and wheeled devices are not allowed on the trail or beach.

Second Beach is particularly renowned for its breathtaking sunsets, often visible through holes in its famous sea stacks, making it a prime spot for photography. At low tide, the beach transforms into a vibrant ecosystem, revealing tide pools teeming with marine life like anemones and starfish. This accessibility and diverse scenery make it a standout destination within Olympic National Park, offering a wild coastal experience that's family-friendly and a great beginner hike.

Ruby Beach offers an unforgettable, rugged coastal experience, perfect for a quick stop or a leisurely exploration. The short path from the parking area leads you down to a dramatic shoreline, where you'll find towering sea stacks, like Abbey Island, rising from the Pacific. The beach itself is a fascinating landscape of sand, pebbles, and an incredible collection of massive driftwood logs, creating a unique and ever-changing scene. At low tide, vibrant tide pools reveal a hidden world of marine life, making it a captivating spot for nature lovers and photographers.

This easy 0.6-mile (0.9 km) hike has no elevation gain and takes only about 14 minutes to reach the beach, though you'll want to spend much longer exploring. The trail is easily accessible from Highway 101, with a parking area right at the trailhead. For the best experience, plan your visit around low tide to explore the tide pools and safely cross Cedar Creek, which can become impassable at high tide. Arriving early can help you secure parking during busy periods.

Ruby Beach is renowned for its unique geological features and the sheer volume of artistic driftwood that washes ashore, setting it apart from other Olympic Coast trails. It's an excellent spot for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to see bald eagles, seabirds, and even whales offshore. The beach's name comes from the reddish crystals in the sand, which shimmer in the sun, adding another layer of natural beauty to this iconic Olympic National Park destination.

Hike the challenging 19.9-mile Shi Shi to Ozette River Beach Travelway in Olympic National Park, featuring rugged coastlines and sea stacks.

The Beach 4 Nature Trail offers a captivating short hike, leading you from a dense old-growth temperate rainforest to the rugged beauty of Kalaloch Beach 4. You'll navigate a path that quickly descends through lush greenery, eventually opening up to dramatic sea stacks and a vast expanse of sand and rocks. It's a fantastic way to experience the diverse ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest in a compact, engaging package.

This easy 0.6-mile (1.0 km) route, with a minimal 20 feet (6 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes around 16 minutes to complete. While the overall duration is short, be aware that the descent to the beach involves a steep section with over 100 steps and loose gravel, which can be challenging. Parking is available at the trailhead, but plan to arrive early during peak times, and remember that cell service is unreliable here.

What truly sets this trail apart are its unique geological features; the beach is a textbook example for geologists, showcasing turbidites and angular unconformities. Look for the fascinating 'Swiss cheese' textured stones, or piddock holes, carved by clams. This trail provides excellent opportunities for tidepooling at low tide and spotting wildlife like Roosevelt elk and various seabirds, making it a rich experience despite its short length.